Page 91 of Playing Flirty

“Curveball. I should have sent Neema.”

“What did you say?” Shaun asked him.

“Oh, I told them she’s the most ridiculous woman in the world and they’d be better off letting her win instead of trying to explain why she didn’t.” He smiled, nudging me with his shoulder.

It felt so good having him here. I considered nudging him again, just to touch him. “That’s it?”

“That’s it.” He studied me again, glancing at Shaun briefly as if wishing him away. “Are you okay?”

“Did they say when they’d let us know?” Shaun asked.

“They said they needed to play another two games. They wouldn’t tell me which ones, either.” William huffed, clearly annoyed with the secrecy in how the games were being judged. “But it shouldn’t take long.”

Before I could question him further, Neema texted, letting me know she was downstairs to pick me up for our last pole dancing class. With everything going on, that had completely slipped my mind. I made vague excuses to leave since the boys still had no idea what Neema had in store for them this weekend.

“I’ll come down,” Shaun said, happily running ahead.

I turned to follow, but William pulled me back into the apartment and kissed me until my entire body hummed. When our lips parted, I gazed into his eyes, searching for answers. But I saw as much confusion as I felt.

I turned to leave, but he tugged me back for another kiss, his hands touching all the places my body had missed him.

“One second you’re giving me one-word texts, and the next you’re doing this. I’m getting emotional whiplash.”

He frowned. “I’m sorry. I thought you’d want me to tell you about it in person.”

“Obviously. But you could have, like, added an x or an emoji or something to your texts,” I said angrily.

“This one?” He made the silliest kissy face, which was also somehow incredibly attractive.

Silly, silly man.

“Yes, that one,” I replied.

“Wanted to do that in person as well.” His lips kicked up on one end.

I rolled my eyes. “And last night? What was going on with you?”

“That’s a long story, and I’m trying to figure it out. I have a plan, kind of. I’ll be good enough. I just need some time to finish it…” He glanced away and, before I could question his statement, he turned his gaze back on me. “What was going on with you and Shaun when I opened the door earlier?”

“That’s a long story, and I’m trying to figure it out. I have a plan, kind of,” I mimicked.

We tutted at each other, and I wrenched him toward me for one last, frustrated kiss. If I was not getting answers, I would still get kisses. As I pulled away, ready to storm off, he wrapped his hand around my wrist.

“I was scared last night.” His features contorted as though admitting it caused him physical pain. “I don’t get scared often.”

I touched his chest, feeling the vulnerability radiating from him. It left a surprising taste in my mouth, and all I wanted was to protect him. “What do you mean? What were you scared of?”

“Of ruining this opportunity for you.”

His tone was softer than ever before. I wasn’t sure I’d heard him correctly.

“William.” I gazed up at him, searching for the words that would make his pain go away. Searching for a way to shield him from his own thoughts.

Swallowing hard, he said, “There’s something I need to tell you, but I just…”

Before he could say whatever was on his mind, Shaun’s footsteps echoed down the hall and William loosened his grip.

Approaching us, Shaun casually slapped me on the shoulder as he walked inside. “Neema said you’ll be late for your Pilates class.”

---